Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1887-01-07

possible, would not seem to De the Des'
method advisable. And vet that Is the char
acter of our present system. smaller mum
Der of commissioners saw not exceeding three
at work for a longer period, chosen, not as
the representatives of the counties in which
they may reside, but for the whole STATE
would be less cumbrous, less expensive. and
in many ways more efficient The systems
of valuation in force in other New England
States should be carefully examined. Some im
proved methods in those States could, have
reason to believe, be profitsbly incorporated
in our own system.
One provision in the Valuation Act | spec
ialiv recommend, viz: that in case of de
structive fire or any other sudden and disas
trous calamity IN any city or town, the Gov
ernor, with the advice of the Council, be
authorized TO suspend the collection of a Ger
tain amount of the State tax levied on said
city or town, proportioned to the loss incurred
said suspension to remain in force until the
adjournment of the next ensuing legislature
If the calamities which have lately befaler
the towns of Eastport and Pennington had
occurred directly after the adjournment of the
legislature, those towns would have beer
subjected to great Inconvenience and distress
for the ensuing two years, which could only
have been relieved by summoning an extra
session or the legislature.
In this connection, it may be profitable for
the Legislature to inquire whether. in the
rapid changes in the relative position OF
towns. with respect to property, it might not
cnnduce to justice and equ tlitv of taxation il
the valuation should be revised once in five
wears instead of once in ten as is now done.
The Constitution Of the State requires
that "a general valuation shall be taken at
least once in ten years"--implying that ii
might be wise to take the valust:on oftener.
In 1915 a valuation was ordered by the Legis-
lature intermediate between the valuations
of 1910 and 1850 submit the whole sub
ject. in all its important bearings, to Your
careful inquiry and most mature considers-
ton.
The reports Of the workings of our various
public institutions for the past two years will
be laid before you. They all show crafty
ing evidences of fulfilling the objects for
which they were established. The Hospital
for the Insane shows commeudsble progress
in every provision tor the comfort and cure
of the inmates, and | think it may be said
that in all its appointments it is the equal of
any institution of the kind in the country 1t
has been, in all respects, prudently and
efficiently administered. have only one
suggestion to make in regard to it, and that
Is tIldt tue lhsdut,-I uutdu tuOSc
who have incurred the heavy penalties of the
law and have had their sentences commuted
on account of insanity should be kept
apart from the general class of patients.
Whether this should be done by providing
an entirely separate ward, or a small build
ing on the grounds, little removed from the
other buildings, it must be for the wisdom of
the legislature to determine. | commend
the subject to your careful inquiry.
| recently paid a visit to the Reform
School for Boys and have witnessed with
much qualification the condition of that in
stitution. Its discipline and management do
honor to the Superintendent and all his teach
ers and assistants. | understand that the
Trustees will ask for an appropriation for an
experiment of the cottage plan, where the
boys are treated precisely as though they
were in family. having smaller numbers
associated together, and thereby increasing
the direct influence Of those to whose charge
they are committed refer the subject to
the legislature, feeling sure that the most
careful consideration will be given to it, as
involving the welfare OF class of our popu-
lation who may be turned from evil and made
useful and respectable citizens. No subject
is more worthy of patient investigation and
wise provision.
1t was my pleasure, also, TO pay a visit to
the State Prison, the detailed condition of
which will be found in the reports of the
Warden and Inspectors. The work of the
prisoners, principally engaged on carriage
making, is Of a very excellent order. The
carriages, think, are not sold at prices to
interfere with the rights or interests of citizens
OF the State who are engaged in the same line
OF business. It's, of course, necessary to keep
the prisoners engaged in work, both with the
view to proper economy and the view to their
Improvement and reformation. 1t would be
utterly cruel to keep them in idleness, and it
would be utterly useless to work them except
to some good end. If the number of convicts
was very large, il would not be fair to engage
them all upon one line of business in compe-
tition with any special class of workmanship
in the State. | recommend that if the present
mode of working the prisoners should prove
unfairly hurtful to honest citizens in their
calling, there should be such division of
the labor of the Prison as would make
interference in any specific direction so
small that no specific influence would be
felt from it. | commend to your attention
the report of the Prison Comm ssioners. and
specially suggest that due consideration be
paid to the facts they have collected touch
ing the number of prisoners in the jails of
the several counties. The circumstances
which lead to the overcrowding of our jails
every winter with petty offenders against the
law should, in my judgment, be carefully
Investigated.
The Industrial School forGirls, established
some years since at Hallowell, has proved
an excellent Institution. 1t has saved a large
number of girls from the unfortunate sur
roundings in which fate had placed them and
has secured for them respectable employ
ment. The report of the Superintendent 10
we'll worthy of your examination, aud hope
the Institution will receive the favor and
assistance of the legislature.
The Military and Naval Asylum for
Orphans, located at Bath is a well-mauaped
institution, and continues to deserve the con-
hdence and patronage of the State. There
is some effort made to enlarge the basis of
admission to its privileges. 1t will be your
duty to carefully examine into the propriey
of such action.
Beside the treaty obligations we are under
to make certain grants to the remnants of
Indian tribes within our borders, we are
called upon to do it on the ground of philan-
thropy and charity. There has of late wears
been moral and material improvement in
the condition of these wards of the State.
and recommend that this tendency be aided
and fostered by all that the legislature NAV
properly do to that end
The last legislature had under considera
ton the subject of establishing a separate
reformstory for the female criminal class. 1t
t. en- received q large degree of anproh.t;on